Revenge Of The Jilted Bride

Jilted Bride 12

Chapter 12

After breakfast, Liam took a black suit jacket from the coat rack and held it open. Kenneth stood, spreading his arms as he slipped into it, adjusting the collar and cuffs with his usual crisp precision. The old housekeeper, Lisa Palmer, reached for the matching tie, ready to help him with it.

But Kenneth's eyes shifted to Ophelia. "You do it

Ophelia blinked, startled. "Me? I don't know how

And she really didn't. Growing up in the slums, no one ever taught her how to tie a tie.

Til teach you once, Kenneth said, placing the tie in her hands. He gently took her soft, petite hands in his, guiding them as he lowered his head so she could reach. The tie looped around his neck, and together they fumbled through the motions.

With the height difference between them, Ophelia had to crane her neck to look up at him. She was so focused, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration, that Kenneth's thoughts started drifting, Watching her like this, he felt an overwhelming urge to take her on the spot. He figured if he didn't pull himself together and stop staring, he wouldn't make it out of the house today,

Once it was finished. Kenneth's expression slipped back into his usual cold, detached mask. He settled into his wheelchair, ready to leave. But just as he was about to roll away, Ophelia called out. "Wait,"

She dashed upstairs in a flurry of excitement, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Moments later, she returned, dressed in a fresh outfit that mirrored her determination.

She recalled Kenneth's words from the night before that every outfit should be shown to him first.

Clad in a light brown polo shirt paired with a short skirt, her long hair elegantly pinned up with a pearl clip, she exuded a cool, composed confidence that belied her twenty years. There was an air of sophistication about her that was decidedly unchildlike, more akin to a seasoned professional.

Tm going out in this today," she said with a smile. I thought I'd show you first."

Kenneth's ga

gaze faltered, his heart skipping a beat. He watched her with an intensity that deepened with every second. "She remembered what I said. She actually cares.

full of raw possession. This time, it was tender, filled with a delicate

him, and

deepened, Kenneth's breathing grew heavier. He pulled away reluctantly, his forehead resting against hers. His voice was

seducing me. I'm just returning

running his thumb across her soft lips, the heat in his eyes slowly ebbing away Then, as if in playful revenge, he ruffled her hair, messing up the neat style she'd put

rose and fell from the intensity of the

emerged from the dining room, carrying Ophelia's phone. "Miss Ophelia.... no, Mrs. Ophelia, you have a call" she said with a warm smile as she handed the phone over. The screen showed an unfamiliar number, but Ophelia recognized it—it was from the Hastings

she picked up, Heather's furious voice blasted through the speaker. "Ophelia, have you lost your mind? How dare you lay a hand on Emily at the gala? You need to come back here

that it was like the phone

her thoughts racing. I laid a hand on Emily? Since when? Could it be

Chipset th

being tossed into

this call seemed to confirm it. Smiling to herself, Ophelia replied sweetly. "Sure, I be right over" "Let's see how this plays

Hastings Villa, Emily saw the video

small outlets still managed to release footage from the event. As the news spread,

leaning back casually. "The video doesn't show any faces, so if Sungate Entertainment issues a statement denying the rumors and pins the blame

and bright red blood trickled down her slender leg Heather glared at her,

the back like

and her eyes wide, brimming

pointed at Ophelia, her tone sharp and commanding "You. Clear Emily's name right now. Tell everyone that it was you who

noticing that Owen wasn't present. If Owen isn't here, then this whole trip would be a waste

"Elia, do you even realize what a scandal could do to our family's reputation? The company's stock could plummet. Dad's on a business trip. You need to take responsibility before Dad finds out about all this. If

eyebrow, her expression incredulous. "Have you all forgotten, or are your memories just that

couldn't finish, clearly rattled by her

gaze to Emily, who stood there looking so

quickly straightened herself. 'Go ahead, hit me, she thought. 'It'll just